Review: Vogue Paris October 2010 Issue

It is a pleasure to present Milla from the blog Not Just Another Milla with an incisive review of the October issue of Vogue Paris. Milla kindly agreed to let me excerpt from her review here, please visit her blog to read her remarks in full.

I came downstairs this morning to find this brick of an issue sticking out of my post box. My heart raced, I kid you not! Since I only have one subscription, I knew "Vogueday" had arrived.

I flicked through and came to page 347 to be surprised and delighted by Théodora Aspart and her wonderful beauty editorial on products for ladies of colour. It would have been foolish of Vogue Paris to leave out such an important moment in beauty history. Labels such as Clinique, MAC, Smashbox, and Laura Mercier are all listed along with photographs of Naomi Campbell, arguably the most famous black model. They talked about Joséphine Baker being the first black model to appear in Vogue Paris but don’t include a photograph of her. Odd.

Page 357 takes the readers on a photographic journey through the best of Vogue Paris parties over the last 90 years in “Œil d’or.” Think Christina Onassis, Tom Ford, Jane Birkin, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and Caroline de Monaco to mention but a few fabulous names. All partying and having a ball. There’s a particular image of Mr Jacobs, which I think will cause him some embarrassment… Don’t worry Marc, we all have “why-was-I-dancing-like-that?” moments!!

This leads us to the most adorable double-paged “Joyeux anniversaire” messages from a variety of brands including a fabulous and fun message from Isabel Marant, an oh-so-chic YSL image, a sexy sketch from Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon, a Vogue shoe design from Louis Vuitton, a Dolce & Gabbana lacy theme spread, a very chic and simple message from Calvin Klein. I’m trying to pick my favourite message but for now it’s tied between Tom Ford (love this guy!), Lanvin, and Chanel. Holy moly!!! Have you seen the Paule Ka message!? It features a sketch of Carine!!!!!! LOVE!!! I need to just relax, because this is too much! My wee heart cannot handle it!!

On the last fifth of the magazine and here we are: Carine Roitfeld’s “Bal masqué" featuring Lara Stone and Freja Beha Erichsen and photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Animal print (me no likey), lace, leather, Philip Treacy (to-die-for) masks, and some seriously dodgy hair (!) only add to the drama of the editorial. The opening image of Lara — arms folded, leather catsuit, dainty earrings, and that stunning mask — sets the scene of unadulterated pleasure, luxury, and provocation. My goodness, this magazine isn’t for the conservative!

Emmanuelle Alt’s "The Party" takes us to various locations around my fabulous adopted home as we follow Anja Rubik, Isabeli Fontana, and Natasha Poly as they play dress-up. From Place de la Concorde (my absolute favourite place in Paris) for a gold bonanza, to leather biker chic near  les pont des Invalides, to sexy ski time near la Tour Eiffel, and on to various other locations sporting brightly coloured fur, luxe Balmain, and even a ball gown!

Vogue Paris October issue photographs and text courtesy of Not Just Another Milla.

Comments

[Olivine]

I just bought it today. So I have to read it ! It is sooo big, and I love the portfolio of 90 years of provocation, this really shows that a fashion magazine is not only clothes, it can make some art !

[kellina]

Olivine, I am so happy for you! Please, please, please let me know your thoughts about the portfolio of photos from the last 90 years. I can't get it here and I am dying to know what made the cut... You are so right, this magazine is art. Brava, Carine!

[kellina]

Milla, I gasped when I saw the Paule Ka ad! Amazing tribute to an amazing woman. Love! Thank you again for most graciously permitting me to excerpt your review here, I always enjoy reading your perspective on VP!

[Milla]

Je t'en prie ma belle! Exactly, the Paule Ka birthday message is the tribute we all wanted to see. Really liked it.

Olivine - get a subscription. I paid less that €20 for a year's supply of fabulousness!

[Ally]

I was in Paris 2 days ago, saw the cover and just had to buy! Even my husband made sure that I bought it before we came back to London in case the portfolio didn't make it to the UK. He sat with me as I flipped through the portfolio - a lot of smiles! The magazine itself is a brick for sure! I love it - a real collectors edition. Carine's editor's letter is a very sweet handwritten note, wishing Vogue Paris 'Happy Birthday' (en anglais!)... Many of the photos in the portfolio are Helmut Newton's - I just love him and I miss his photography so much.

[kellina]

Less than 20 euros for a year's subscription, Milla?! Oh to live in Paris, the center of all that is fabulous. Sigh.

[kellina]

Ally, thank you very much for your comment! I am really glad that you got the issue and that your husband is totally on board with Vogue Paris! I love Carine's handwritten note as editorial too and wish I had seen it to post for the anniversary date. Oh well!